really like

I enjoyed reading this post at Cup of Jo.  It got me thinking about words.  Words I love, words I do not care for, and words I overuse.  For instance,  I say really like a lot:  I really like your haircut.  I really like pizza.  I really like to read. When I say this phrase I genuinely do like the thing I'm talking about.  However, I know I can do a better job at expressing myself:  Your new bangs are city cool.  This crust has the perfect amount of crunch.  I'm a little depressed to finish Harry Potter (Book Seven) because I'll have to say goodbye to all of the wonderful characters I've grown to care about. 

I'm curious.  Are there any words you love?  Hate?  Are there any phrases you hear over and over?

(Image via Cup of Jo.)

word of the week

Our Word of the Week

that I picked from the fish bowl on my desk

is...

gardenia
1. a large white flower that has a pleasant smell

Bonus Question:  Which of the following animals should NEVER eat gardenias because it makes them very sick? (A) cat  (B) goat (C) gold fish

(Unfortunately, I discovered the answer to this question earlier this week.)

french open

Do you follow tennis?  The French Open started on Monday! I'm curious who you are rooting for:  Nadal, Federer, Djokovic, Monfils, Soderling, Murray?

(I like Roger Federer.)

Photo via Ruansfedererblog.

colorscope

Have you ever heard of Rachel Carson?   (Hint:  She is a lover of words, animals and the ocean.)  Click here to learn about her life.  Click here to study her Colorscope.

word of the week

Our WORD OF THE WEEK

that I picked from the fish bowl on my desk

is...

hurly-burly

1. noisy confusion 2. tumult

Bonus Question:  David Rabe's dark comedy called Hurlyburly opened on Broadway in 1984, starring William Hurt.  Which famous Shakespeare play inspired Rabe's title?   (A) Much Ado About Nothing  (B) Macbeth  (C) The Tempest  (D) A Midsummer Night's Dream

framing project

When I first moved to LA, my mom sent me two recipes.  She wrote instructions for Cream of Forever Cake and Pots de Creme.  I've always loved the way she decorated the recipes. So, the other day I was inspired to frame them. 

serena and lily

I am in love with this color palette.  I discovered the above photo in the Serena and Lily catalog.   Every page is filled with gorgeous pillows, fabrics, sofas, rugs and painting ideas.  Click here to view!

a bunch of doppelgangers

Yesterday's WORD OF THE WEEK got me thinking.  I look like my mother.

And I've always looked a lot like my grandmother, my mother's mother.

Do you have a doppelganger?  I'd love to know who it is!

word of the week

Our WORD OF THE WEEK

that I picked from the fishbowl on my desk

is...

doppelganger

1. someone who looks like someone else

bear with me

"Bear with Me" is a charming book written and illustrated by my friend Max Kornell.  Click here to learn about where Max got the idea for his story. Click here to purchase "Bear with Me" and Click here to visit Max's website.

bunny girl (part three)

Alexandra Thayer Stewart

(This wedding photo was taken by my maid-of-honor and sister:
Miranda Maxwell)

happy mother's day

When I was little, my mom gave me "A Child's Garden of Verses" by Robert Louis Stevenson.  This is my favorite poem from the collection because it speaks about the love of books, something my mother and I share.

Picture-Books in Winter by Robert Louis Stevenson

Summer fading, winter comes--
Frosty mornings, tingling thumbs,
Window robins, winter rooks,
And the picture story-books.

Water now is turned to stone
Nurse and I can walk upon;
Still we find the flowing brooks
In the picture story-books.

All the pretty things put by,
Wait upon the children's eye,
Sheep and shepherds, trees and crooks,
In the picture story-books.

We may see how all things are
Seas and cities, near and far,
And the flying fairies' looks,
In the picture story-books.

How am I to sing your praise,
Happy chimney-corner days,
Sitting safe in nursery nooks,
Reading picture story-books?

(Poem via Famous Poets and Poems.)

geoff and calvin

Calvin walks over to Geoff.

Geoff pats Calvin a bit too hard.

Calvin leaves.

Calvin finds a new spot on the couch.

Geoff pats Calvin again.

Calvin is happy.

word of the week

Our WORD OF THE WEEK

 that I picked from the fish bowl on my desk

is...

winsome
1. generally pleasing and engaging because of a childlike charm and innocence.

Question: Which of the following literary characters do find most winsome?  (A) Mary Poppins  (B) Harry Potter  (C) Ramona Quimby  (D) Calvin and/or Hobbes  (E) all of the above

charlotte's web

Our BOOK OF THE MONTH

Charlotte's Web

by E.B. White

Synopsis from Goodreads: An affectionate, sometimes bashful pig named Wilbur befriends a spider named Charlotte, who lives in the rafters above his pen. A prancing, playful bloke, Wilbur is devastated when he learns of the destiny that befalls all those of porcine persuasion. Determined to save her friend, Charlotte spins a web that reads "Some Pig," convincing the farmer and surrounding community that Wilbur is no ordinary animal and should be saved. In this story of friendship, hardship, and the passing on into time, E.B. White reminds us to open our eyes to the wonder and miracle often found in the simplest of things.


What I think:  A beautiful story.  I particularly enjoy Charlotte's Web read aloud by E.B White. His voice is the perfect fit for Charlotte, Wilber, Fern and the entire cast of characters from the farm.  In a gentle and charming way, E.B. White teaches me about friendship, kindness and the cycle of life.


(Photo via Goodreads)